Kirsten Dunst Backtracks on Gender Roles, Insists She's a Feminist

LONDON, July 9 (UPI) –Kirsten Dunst dismissed the criticism that ensued her remarks that “sometimes, you need your knight in shining armor” during an interview for Flaunt magazine unveiled Monday.

Dunst, 32, came under fire in April for the seemingly conservative comments she made while talking about gender roles in the May issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. However, the actress explained in the new piece that she wasn’t talking about herself when she declared that, “You need a man to be a man and a woman to be a woman.”

“I was talking about my mother — obviously I’m a feminist,” she clarified to Flaunt. “It’s ridiculous that anyone would think other of me.”

The Bring It On star also spoke about the importance of being a “strong female” in the entertainment industry, telling the magazine actresses “have to be really in touch with your masculine side” to endure Hollywood.

“You have to be a pretty strong lady to survive it,” Dust continued. “You have to be very confident in yourself.”